They had to take the 3:00(am) flight to LA because school was a day away and they needed to get themselves situated and prepped up for the assignment. Max and 99 were sitting in coach next to each other. Max had the isle seat and 99 had the window. Max wanted the window, but 99 said that she loved to look at the formations of the clouds, so he of course gave it to her. Agent 47 sat in the isle seat next to them. The flight attendant came around on one of her rounds as cheerful as can be. (Even though it was 3 in the morning!)

"May I help you two with anything?" she asked rather too chipper.

"No, I don't think I need anything." Max told her with half closed eyes. "Howa bout you 99?" he looked over to find her asleep, head against the cold window. He smiled lovingly at her.

"On second thought," he hesitated, "Could you bring me a blanket and two pillows please?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye.

"All right sir." the young girl said, "Be with you in a minute."

Max was already thinking about getting them in a comfortable position without waking 99.

"You dog! You've got the hots for her don't you?!" he heard someone hiss at him. He turned over to see Agent 47 with a sly grin on his face.

"You do! Admit it!" the fox of an agent said again.

"I do no--" he stopped himself. He realized just a few weeks ago that he really truly cared for the girl. The thought of 99 marrying Victor Royal sent a shiver down his spine, "I guess I..I..I...do." he looked at her and smiled again.

Agent 47 just grinned at him and went back to sleep. In his mind, he thought 99 and him would make the perfect couple, but there WERE rumors that 99 and Max..Well, hit it off real well at CONTROL.

The flight attendant came back and handed Max the pillows and the blanket. "Here are your things sir.," she said.

"Thanks miss." Max took the things and she left. He quickly pulled 99's shoulders and put her head on his shoulder. She moved a bit, but soon snuggled her face into Max's warm embrace. He kissed her hair and spreaded the blanket on the both of them.

"Soon I won't have to do this when she is asleep." he thought. Max stroked 99's cheek and went into a peaceful and serene slumber.

@*******************@

"Max!" 99 hushed to him, "Time to get up, our flight is over!"

"Wha? Oh yeah, okay 99, "Max got up from his pillow and reached for their things out from the overhead compartment. The woman in first class held the line up. Something about the caviar and there not being enough bathrooms on the plane.... The line started moving again, and they were just about to leave their seats when 99 grabbed Max's hand and touched his arm.

"Thanks for holding me to sleep last night Max." she tried not to blush, no matter how fervent she was feeling.

"Ah,, no problem 99." he smiled at her, " You're more than just my partner to Me." making sure he chose his words carefully.

"You're way more of a partner to me too, Max." she stumbled. They paused for a moment, until 47 had to remind them where they were.

"You two! The line!" 47 implied and nudged Max into the isle. Since Max was still holding 99's hand, she was dragged too.

"Heh," Max smirked giggly, "Let's go, 99" they walked out of the terminal hand in hand. (aaww =D) After a long hour of finding the bags,

they were ready to leave the airport.

"Where is 47 taking us?" 99 whispered to Max.

"I don't have a clue. Hang on, I'll ask 47. Hey, 47 where are you taking us?!" Max practically screamed.

"To the safe house!" 47 screamed back.

"99, where going to the safe house!"

"Thanks Max! I heard, thou--why are we screaming?"

"Because if we don't scream we can't communicate with each other, 99." Max said smugly. 99 just rolled her eyes, which she always does,

when she doesn't know what to say to Max when he makes a statement like that.

@******************@

They arrived at the safe house and unpacked their things.

"Why did we bring all this stuff if we're not going to use it, 99?"

"I don't know Max. Habit I guess."

"Yeah, habit.." they finished their packing then went out to a good luck dinner and a movie. They woke up at 6:00 am to get ready for school. (Sounds strange doesn't it?)

"Back to school again." Max said, "I'm feeling pretty nervous."

"Me too." 99 agreed, "But, it's an anxious kind of nervous, right Max?"

"Yeah, it is 99. It is an anxious kind of nervous...." he trailed off.

"Well, we're all set. How come I feel like I'm walking my death march?" she asked unsurely, "Oh Max! What if something goes wrong? What if we can't get out of their bodies? What if..."

"99, I promise you nothing will go wrong." she looked at him doubtfully, "I promise, 99. We always make it out okay. I believe in you." he wanted to say something more witty and loving, but the words just couldn't make it out of his mouth. 99 seemed happier with his words though, so it wasn't a total waste.

"Really, Max?"

"Really." he reassured her.

"Oh, Max thank you! I believe in you too. I have faith in us!" before Max could see it coming, she jumped into his arms and started to whimper.

"99, what's wrong?" he looked down at the girl who currently filled his arms.

"I'm fine Max, really. I just had to let it out, that's all."

"Okay, sweetie. I understand." he stroked her hair and kissed her forehead.

"Max, that's the first time you ever called me sweetie." she had never seen Max so affectionate towards her. He gave her a kiss sometimes, but it was more of a grazing of two lips then anything.

"Yeah...?"

"Too bad it isn't my name." and she nestled her head back into the crook of his neck.

"Oh, well. I don't care anymore. 99 fits her like a glove." he thought.

They ended the tender moment with a quick kiss before leaving with 47 in the car. They didn't say a word to each other about it.

"Something is happening between us." 99 thought, "But whatever it is, I don't want it to stop."

Max was thinking the exact same thing.

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